June 1, 2021
Toddler-PreS-Children will find much to love in Pablo, who after the disappointment over oatmeal, not pancakes, and after putting his dish in the sink, brushing his teeth, and more, declares, "No pants!" Father and son, both brown-skinned with dark hair, debate the origins of pants, who wears them, what style, but with the need to leave for a party pressing on them, the conversation grows heated. Colorful illustrations show all the shenanigans, highlighting the story and complementing the flow of the very funny text. Grant is keenly attuned to this classic argument, and then twists it: When Pablo and his father arrive at the pool party, almost no one is wearing conventional pants. VERDICT A shaggy dog story that will engage readers old and young.-Elizabeth Willoughby, John P. Faber Sch., Dunellen, NJ
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from March 1, 2021
A surprise awaits readers at the end of this book. Pablo is a rascal. Cared for by a reasonable and patient father who irons their clothing, cooks oatmeal for breakfast, and prepares food to take to a birthday party, Pablo will not obey orders and put on pants. More curious than naughty, Pablo asks why people wear pants, suggesting that they are not necessary. They look at photos of their family members hanging on walls to introduce types of pants worn for a variety of sports and careers before the father goes through a brief history featuring illustrated examples of pants through the decades (amusingly, his bespectacled, bearded face tops each one). Readers will note diversity among the family and friends enumerated, a variety that complements Pablo's own ruddy skin and presumed Latinx background. The book has too many funny plot twists to count, creating chuckles for young and old readers. Finally, Pablo's silly acts of resistance escalate to the loss of parental temper, and they must quickly reconcile with an act of obedience. But when they get to the party, there's not a pair of pants in sight. With a restrained palette and blocky figures rendered in a free-floating style, the illustrations offer subtext to the tight relationship between parent and child. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 42.1% of actual size.) A delightful duo in a picture book that will bring laughter to all. (Picture book. 3-5)
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